TAMPA, Fla. (March 21, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team posted back-to-back wins against the University of Illinois-Chicago, 1-0, 9-1, on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action at the USF Softball Field.
In game one, freshman Cristi Ecks (10-8) stifled UIC batters, striking out six while only dishing out three hits. In her six and one-third innings of work, the Manassas, Va., native only allowed one walk in her start.
The Bulls (23-16) opened up the scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring the only run it needed, 1-0. A leadoff double by Krista Holle followed by a sacrifice bunt by Christie Chapman put a runner at third base with only one out. Tiffany Stewart came up to bat and ended the stalemate by hitting a chopper over the shortstop's head for a RBI single.
UIC (9-19) tried to make a move in the top of the seventh inning, getting the tying run on second base with one out. Kasey Cash came in the game in relief and, after an error put the go-ahead run on base, the left-handed pitcher retired the last two batters for the save and the USF win, 1-0.
In game two, USF jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back en route to a 9-1 eight-run-rule win.
Bree Spence (8-5) picked up the win, throwing a one-hitter in her five-inning victory.
The Bulls scored five runs in the second inning, taking advantage of three Flame errors. USF added another run in the third inning and two more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game due to the mercy rule.
UIC's lone run came in the top of the third inning but it couldn't get any more offense going in the game thanks to Spence's effort in the circle and the defense behind her.
Freshman second baseman Britta Giddens was perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 and scoring three runs.
Seniors Stewart and Holle each had two-RBI games, while Samantha Ray, Chapman, Ashley Bullion and Jessica Landau all knocked in a run.
The Bulls will continue non-conference action on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when they face Towson in a doubleheader at the USF Softball Field.
